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JBQ on Pulled Nexus 4 Factory Images: “I Can’t Comment on That”

Two days ago, we noticed that Google had updated the factory images page for their Nexus lineup. For whatever reason, this update removed the Nexus 4 and all accompanying files, a move that we weren’t initially concerned about. While it was odd that their new flagship device was gone, we have seen this happen in the past with other Nexus phones.

It becomes interesting now because Jean-Baptiste Quéru, the man who manages these factory images, was asked point blank what the deal was and simply responded with, “I can’t comment on that, sorry.” Even after a user mentioned that he desperately needed the files to fix his phone, he was left hanging.

So what is the deal? Well, we don’t know. There are rumors floating around that suggest it’s because users are finding active LTE radios inside and that Google has been forced to remove software for it. The device wasn’t approved by the FCC to work on LTE networks, so there is a chance that has something to do with it. We should point out that the 4.2.1 binaries have been removed as well.

But to confuse things further, the 4.2.1 image for the Nexus 10 is gone (Update: or has apparently never been there). Some are suggesting that this means an update is on the way. Serious bug in 4.2.1 for just these two devices? Lots of questions and guesses, no definitive answers.

I’d assume there is nothing serious going on here. It’s not like the Nexus 4 is all of a sudden going to stop being supported forever by Google. All will be well in due time.

Man, the Nexus 4 is really plagued with issues. I’m a huge Nexus fan (there still isn’t a Verizon phone I would pick over the Galaxy Nexus even despite the huge issues it has) but Google really messed this one up. Hopefylly they learn from this and bring the same polish they’ve put into Android recently into the phone they make to show it off.

TheVoiceOfReason

The only issues I’ve seen and encountered so far is the ordering process. They serious underestimated the popularity of a device like this.

Besides that, the device is pretty flawless. I’m not having any of these problems with 4.2.1 that people are reporting. At least Google is admitting there are issues and have pulled it. If this were Apple, everyone would have to wait until the next big release to get something fixed.

InvaderDJ

From what I’ve read battery life is meh at best and the camera is only just a small step up from the Galaxy Nexus.

My biggest issue with it is the construction. Glass phones are dumb, truly form over function. My opinion (I haven’t heard this from anyone else and I’m pulling it out of my ass, so this isn’t objective truth) is that basically the glass back substitutes for using high quality materials. You can save by not having to buy high quality plastic or metal and then just use Gorilla Glass to fortify the construction.

It was dumb when Apple did it, and it is dumb now, a highly mobile and droppable device should be as shatter proof as possible.

TheVoiceOfReason

Don’t believe everything you read. Lots of sites were given pre-production devices with pre-production builds of Jelly Bean on it.

The battery life is fine. It easily lasts me through the day with heavy-to-moderate use and it’s only getting better with more use.

Yeah, the glass back of the phone bothers me a bit. Mostly because the phone slides along uneven surfaces and fabrics too easily. That’s okay though because I have a case on order.

Also, the 16GB version of the Nexus 4 is now shipping in 6-7 weeks,
however, a number of folks are reporting much quicker shipping times. I
for one received mine in about 3 weeks after having been told it would
take 4-5. The 16GB Nexus 10 and two other Nexus 7 options are all at 3-5
business days, so they are still in play….@David, If you think Rose`s story is neat…, a month-ago my auntiez girl-friend
also made $4517 putting in seventeen hours a week an their house and
they’re roomate’s mom`s neighbour has done this for 4 months and made
over $4517 parttime on line. applie the guide on this address…http://fuseurl.com/nu8

http://twitter.com/bizdady Bizdady

I had to take back my N7 to 4.1 as 4.2.1 was buggy. I really need BT headphones to work without skips every 2 seconds.

Simon Belmont

Haha. I did this too.

I use a Bluetooth speaker, and a Bluetooth gamepad. I hope Android 4.2.2 fixes these darned issues.

rals

Maybe because 4.2.1 is not a good update at all. My Nexus 7 runs like crap. 4.1 was much smoother. Something broke, there is a ton of posts on XD reporting issues with 4.2. So I’m not eager to get this on Gnex right until they ironed out the issues.

I have to say I’m little disappointed with Google and there approach to Android recently. It seems we’re getting shafted with buggy OS with the launch 4.2 and IOS is getting nicer versions of our core Apps. I know this is easy revenue for Google, but come on now.

EC8CH

I have to admit my N7 feels a bit more flaky since 4.2 as well.

rals

Yep, battery drains much quicker, the lock screen wake up time is longer, and I found random reboots, which seems to be a common theme with the new update. Debating on this weekend to a factory reset to see if it helps.

EC8CH

I just toggled the setting to turn off my wifi during sleep to see if it helps standby time. I thought before it would stay charged for almost a week, now it drains in about a day and a half.

rals

I downloaded the battery reborn widget, and that has a sleep function that you can automatically set. But you’re right, even toggling airplane mode when I don’t use it, still drain relatively quickly.

YankInDaSouth

Factory reset won’t work – I did it and still get reboots and waking the device takes forever!

Droidzilla

It’s weird. I also noticed this on a friend’s Nexus 7, but my Nexus 4 on 4.2.1 runs as smooth as a Bentley on a newly paved road with calm winds and a sober driver.

Simon Belmont

This. I even rolled back to 4.1.

Needed BT to work better, and the battery life is back. Please, Google, fix this in 4.2.2.

http://katzmatt.com/ Matt Katzenberger

Doubt it’s an LTE thing if they also pulled the Nexus 10 image…

After all, a nexus 10 won’t magically grow LTE support…

Hunter

wouldn’t that be cool if it did…

http://randomphantasmagoria.com/ Shawn

Huh? They didn’t pull the Nexus 10 image. There was a problem with the original JOP40C images so JBQ put up new ones, but they’re still available. There are no JOP40D/4.2.1 images available for the N10 yet, though.

http://katzmatt.com/ Matt Katzenberger

Ah. My (author’s) mistake.

“But to confuse things further, the 4.2.1 image for the Nexus 10 is gone (Update: or has apparently never been there).”

J. Gilbertson

Oh how I wish I had a Nexus to be upset about these things. Oh wait, today is another day and another contest for a Nexus 7!

TheWenger

Maybe it’s something to do with Miracast?

http://jordanhotmann.com/ Jordan Hotmann

At least there are always mirrors.

EC8CH

FACKWORS maybe???

WAldenIV

A bit forced. I think we want fackwors to feel natural.

EC8CH

No other explanation makes much sense… must be FACKWORS.

http://twitter.com/DavidSheaffer David Sheaffer

I agree, give it a fighting chance before we bludgeon it to death.

EC8CH

u mad bro?

…swidt old time droid-lifers?

moelsen8

i miss mctypeanything some days. really shook things up on boring days haha

I think the 15 minutes of humor/fame from fackwors is kinda up honestly…

EC8CH

That’s alright… I was into FACKWORS before it was cool to be into FACKWORS.

zepfloyd

hahaha

Hunter

Disagree. Long live fackwors!

zepfloyd

Are you calling fackwors on my fackwors opinion?

Hunter

Perhaps I am.

Ihatenexus

Well, well, well……………………Add this to the long list of Fiascoes that is this phone. Botched release, horrible battery, delicate glass…………so many things I forgot most now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahaahahahahahahahahahhhahahhaahhahah
Fanboys: Continue on…..

EC8CH

FACKWORS definitely.

Mack

Haha what was that you were saying about a resident DL troll?? ^^^^^

You’re right though, it has been a while.

moelsen8

yeah but this guy lacks the personality we need. he sounds like he belongs at bgr.

EC8CH

Yeah, Jeff Bernard had the “I date young college chicks” style going for him.

angleface had the bummbling broken english thing going.

and mctypething trolled hardcore.

It takes a special something to wear the crown of DL troll king.

moelsen8

aaah the DL Troll Hall of Fame. May the troll be with you.

Mack

True, he doesn’t show up often enough either.

TheVoiceOfReason

You need to step up your game, Troll. Your efforts are desperate and pathetic.

Ihatenexus

I made a list for the Fanboys so we can keep track of this phone failure:

Nexus 4:

No LTE

Horrible Battery

Delicate Glass

No OTG USB support

Botched Release

No SD card

Long shipping delays

Insufficient inventory

Pulled Factory Images

Non removable battery

Abysmal camera
I know we will add more to this in the coming days.

Jon

Good list, pretty much sums up why I love this phone. It does have LTE though.

Wait were you talking about the iPhone or Nexus 4?

Food for t̶r̶o̶l̶l̶ thought.

moelsen8

I mean, you could probably combine a few of them, right?

TheVoiceOfReason

Wow, troll much? You need to try a little harder, there’s many more out there with more skills.

If we were to create a list such as that for the iPhone 5, it would be longer.

Three of those are the same thing (the botched release includes shipping delays and insufficient inventory). But yeah, I’m not really feeling the Nexus 4, really the only things that I care about on it is the Snapdragon S4 Pro and the better camera (compared to the Galaxy Nexus).

michael arazan

So sorry that a hurricane botched the release in NY, hard to move such a PR even t in less than 5 days for such a giant venue.

Bob

FACWORS It is!!!! We can’t ever let it die. Troll on good sir, troll on.

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